We arrived in Dunedin (duh-nee-din) on Wednesday afternoon, December 3. We walked around the downtown, particularly The Octagon, the city center.
A highlight from Thursday was our tour of the Cadbury Factory. It was about $20 per person, but we must have been given more than that in candy samples to take home. We were shown through the operating factory, so no cameras allowed. Also, everybody wore hair nets. Alan had to cover his manly beard with a "snood" hairnet across the jaw. Very entertaining. Here I am after the tour, well sugared and caffeinated.
We bought a brochure for a Heritage Walking Tour of downtown, showcasing older buildings with their beautiful architecture. Dunedin was settled by a largely Scottish population, and retains a character reminiscent of Edinburgh.
The walking route took us by the official Speight's Brewery, where we shared a tasting tray.
Friday was our sunniest day, though cold. So we headed out from Dunedin to the Otago Peninsula. We intended to visit the aquarium and Marine Studies Center run by the university, but it was closed to visitors due to earthquake-caused building risk. Don't worry, they let the students go in. (What?)
Instead, we visited Larnach Castle, which is the only castle in New Zealand. We toured the house and gardens, getting some history of the area, the original family, and the family who has recently undertaken the refurbishment. The house was quite small, if you are imagining American monstrosities like the Biltmore. Perhaps 5-6 rooms on each level.
On Saturday, we took a tour of the Dunedin Gaol. We were both stunned at the fact that this building ran from 1900-2007. There were no toilets until the year 2000. Yes, 2000. Before that, buckets were used.
Our final day, Sunday, we worshiped at Knox Church, one of the oldest in the city. Their main choir included children (as is common in England, I believe) and sang a lovely selection of Advent hymns. It was nice to join a community of faith as they celebrated the Advent season in a way more familiar to us.
Finally, we tried to watch the SEC Championship at the Speight's Restaurant, since we had seen that there were many TVs showing sports. Of about 8 sports channels, none of these was American football. So Alan caught the second half by radio feed through the pub's wifi. Well.. at least Mizzou made it to the championship.
A highlight from Thursday was our tour of the Cadbury Factory. It was about $20 per person, but we must have been given more than that in candy samples to take home. We were shown through the operating factory, so no cameras allowed. Also, everybody wore hair nets. Alan had to cover his manly beard with a "snood" hairnet across the jaw. Very entertaining. Here I am after the tour, well sugared and caffeinated.
Instead, we visited Larnach Castle, which is the only castle in New Zealand. We toured the house and gardens, getting some history of the area, the original family, and the family who has recently undertaken the refurbishment. The house was quite small, if you are imagining American monstrosities like the Biltmore. Perhaps 5-6 rooms on each level.
Finally, we tried to watch the SEC Championship at the Speight's Restaurant, since we had seen that there were many TVs showing sports. Of about 8 sports channels, none of these was American football. So Alan caught the second half by radio feed through the pub's wifi. Well.. at least Mizzou made it to the championship.
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